Disabled Student and Brother Sue National Air and Space Museum

Max Gold is a college junior studying aviation security. He was born with a rare vascular condition and has been confined to a wheelchair since his right leg was amputated at the age of six. His 25-year-old brother Jake often assists him.

According to the Washington Post, last August, he visited the National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. The museum features two flight simulators, FLY and RIDE. Max was turned away from the former simulator because the ride requires use of both legs. He acknowledges, “I understood that.”

However, when the brothers tried the RIDE simulator, they were able to purchase tickets, wait in line, and approach the simulator.

“Jake prepped me for getting out of my chair, took off my seat belt, took my wallet from around my neck and began lifting me when a supervisor came running over,” says Max Gold.

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The supervisor then addressed herself solely to Jake, instructing him to put his brother down. Max recounts, “She was yelling that the only way I could ride this ride was if I physically got out of the chair and walked up the stair.” Max reports that he tried to speak to the supervisor but she persisted in addressing Jake instead.

As a result of their experience, the family is now suing. Their lawsuit seeks special accommodations for disabled individuals, staff sensitivity training, and unspecified damages for emotional distress.